Bar hanger



Dec. 22, 1964 A. M. HEXDALL 3,162,413

BAR HANGER Filed April 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 main INVENTOR. .l- ANDREW M. HEXOALL Dec. 22, 1964 A. M. HEXDALL 3,162,413

BAR HANGER Filed April 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR.

ANDREW M. HEXDALL ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,162,413 BAR HANGER Andrew M. Hexdall, Morris, ill. Filed Apr. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 190,376 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-71) The present invention relates to hanger bars for supporting building components, such as pipes, ducts, electrical wiring and the like. i

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hanger bar which may be conveniently installed between parallel building members, such as joists, rafters or studs, without the use of nails, screws or the like. A related object is to provide such a hanger bar adapted to be readily mounted in many types of locations and positions.

A further object is to provide a hanger bar capable of being adapted to support building components of widely varying shape and size. It is also an object to provide such a hanger bar having means for adjustably positioning and holding supported elements at selected positions along the length of the bar.

It is an additional object to provide a hanger bar of the above type which is not only inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install, but which is also strong and dependable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the attached detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a hanger bar incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the hanger bar;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of one end of the hanger;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross section corresponding to FIG. 4 showing how the parts are locked together;

FIG. 6 is a partial section taken along line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of one end piece of the hanger;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of one end piece of the hanger;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are perspective views of three alternative forms of the attaching clip;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative channel construction of the hanger bar; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another alternative channel construction of the hanger bar.

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that I do not intend to limit the invention to that embodiment, but on the contrary, intend to cover all alterations, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a hanger bar incorporating the features of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, this hanger bar comprises an elongated body member 10 having end support means 11 and 12 and an element mounting means 13. As shown here, the body 10 is a relatively long channel-shaped member having a substantially flat longitudinal back portion 14 and longitudinal sides or flanges 15, 16, depending from opposite sides thereof. Thus, it maybe seen that the body 10 may be easily formed from a single piece of flat sheet metal simply by bending over the lateral edges 15, 16. In .the exemplary embodiment an angle of about 120 degrees between the back 14 and the respective edges or flanges 15, 16 allows the body 10 to be easily formed in a simple bending or stamping operation and at the same time provides the requisite stiffmess to the hanger. This angle is, however, only exemplary and is not critical to the practice of the invention.

The support means for the hanger bar comprises slidable members 11 and 12 shaped with channeled cross sections which are complementary to the outer surface of the body 10 to permit the members 11 and 12 to overlie and slide axially relative to the body. Since the support members 11 and 12 are similar, only one need herein be described in detail. The member 11 has a saddle or back portion 17 and laterally depending flanges 18 and 19 which are substantially longer than the body flanges 15, 16 such that they extend beyond the lower edges of the latter. integrally formed on the outer end of the member 11 is a pointed projection 23 capable of being driven into a wooden joist or beam. In order to provide the flanges 18, 19 and the point 23, the support members are shaped from a single piece of sheet material having a rectangular main portion with a triangular portion projecting from the central part of one side. The flanges 18, 19 are formed by bending down the sides of the main portion adjacent the side having the triangular projection. As the flanges are formed, the area at the base of the triangular projection is bent downwardly to form a perpendicular end cap 24 with folds 25, 26 which merge into the flanges 18, 19 being produced as a result of crimping the material (see FIG. 7). The point 23 comprising the triangular portion of the sheet material is then bent outwardly in an axial direction in downwardly offset relation to the saddle 17. Reinforcing grooves 27, 28 extending longitudinally of the point 23 and vertically of the cap 24, respectively, are also formed in the process of crimping the extending portion of the saddle 17.

Means for mounting and holding pipes, ducts and the like on the hanger bar body comprise clips or sliders 13 also formed of sheet material. Each clip comprises a bridge portion 20 and depending flanges 21, 22 from the respective sides thereof. The cross section of the clips 13, like that of thesupport members 11, 12, is of channel shape complementary to the outer surface of the body 16.

In accordance with the present invention, the end support means 11, 12 and the mounting means 13 are slidably connected to the body 10 for longitudinal movement. For this purpose, means forming a slidable mounting are provided. The mounting means includes a plurality of ears 29 struck inwardly from the flanges 18, 19, 22, 21, each leaving an opening therein. The ears 29 are connected or hinged at their base to the lower or outer portion of the flanges and extend inwardly and upwardly therefrom generally parallel to the flanges so that the ears lap over and engage the inner surface of the edges 15 and 16 of the body. Preferably, the cars 29 have a slight inward offset at the point of connection to the flanges to accommodate the thickness of the sheet material of which the body is formed. Thus, it may be seen that the edges 15, 16 in addition to stiffening the body 10 also provide runners for the slidable end members 11, 12 and the clip 13.

Telescoping on opposite ends of the body 11?, the support members 11, 12 provide an extensible hanger bar with a minimum length equal to the length of the body 10 and the two protruding points 23. The minimum length is chosen so that the hanger bar may be"conveniently placed perpendicularly between two parallel support members such as rafters, studs or joists 55, 56. The body length may be manufactured such that with the added length of the points 23, a standard spacing of joists, sixteen inch centers, for example, can be accommodated, By simply cutting oil a part of the body length. 16 at the time of installation, the hanger may be used for lesser spacing. With the hanger bar properly oriented between two joists or the like the support members 11, 12 may be telescoped outwardly so that the points 23 engage the joists, thus supporting the hanger. In this regard the nails. the clips '13 .may be permanently securedto the body 10,

screw 38 (:FIG. 1).

members. .11, .12 maybe forcibly .urged .outwardly merely by hitting the inner surface of the cap 24 with a hammer, thereby causing the point 23 to penetrate deeply into the woodenjoist 56 (see-F1G. 3;).

To secure various building components to the hanger her, one or more clips 13 are mounted-on the body it) prior to installing the hanger-between its supports. As .shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a substantiallycircular clamp '34 is secured to the .clip 13 by a transverse bracket 30a in .the :shape of .an invertedxU which is :struck from the .bridge 20.0f therclip. The clarnp30 may be used to lo- .cate and hold a variety of building components such as ,a pipe or .circular duct 3% between the ,parallel supports '55, .56. After the hanger is anchored in place with the points 23 embedded -,in the supports 55, 5 6 and the pipe .or duct30b secured in the clamp .31), the ends .11 and .12 vand theclip 13 may beglocked in placeon the body 10. Locking of .the ends and ,clip is accomplished simply by compressingand clamping theears 29 firmly against ,the edges 15 16of the body 10. This may be done in any convenient ,mannersuch as by a .pair of pliers as illustrated in FIG. 5. The ears 29 pr.essed firmly against the edges 15 (see FIG. 6) thus lock theclip 130;; the body 10.

Many alternative clip arrangementsmay also be employed on the novel hanger bar to anchor and hold 21 variety of other building components. 1 165. 9 10, and 11 illustrate-three forms of -suchclips, butit is to be understood thatthese are ,only exemplary and that others mayalso be employed to advantage;

31, .32, and 33 is similar to the clip 13 insofar as the constructionof the .bridgeZQ, flanges 21 22, and the ears 29 is concerned. They difier only as to the building :component holder. ,In this respect, clip 31 (-FIG.-9) has a single tongue 34 with a suitable mounting'hole 34a'struck from the bridge 20 .and .extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Such .a tongue 34 could, of .course,

be used toanchora wooden block or metal bracket or similar component onlthehanger bar between the studs, joists, or raftersmerelylbynailing, screwing, or'boltin-g the component to the tongue. Similarly, the clip .32 (-FIG. .10.) maybe used to support small pipe, conduit, cable, or ,heavy electricalwire. For :this purpose, a pair of upwardly curved wings 35, 36, extending in opposite axial directions, have been Stl'llCk" fi'Om'th6 bridge 20. The p-ipe cable or the like may beeither zloosely nested between .the. wings 35, 36101 firmly clamped therein 'by bending-the wings around-the part to be secured. -.On the clip 33 (FIG. 11) the bridge Ztlhas been covered with Eachof theseclips a heat resisting material such as asbestos sheeting 37 in order that this clip might beused to support heating ducts, steam pipes or similar hot objects.

To increase the utility of the hanger bar the back 14 of the hanger body 10 defines a plurality of small'holes 39. These holes may 'be-used for securingbuilding components directly to the hanger bar such as .by metal screws or Inwaddition, .the supporting members "11, 12 and after installation, by drilling a matching hole through the saddle 17 or bridge 26 and inserting a self-tapping metal In another aspect of the invention the supporting members 11, 12, and clips 13 are provided with a longitudinal slot 39a positioned centrally of'the saddle 17 or bridge 20 in overlying relation to the holes 39 in the-hanger body). If desired, the slot may be formed by "bending upwardly short ridges or lugs 3%.-

By this means drilling of holes in the members 11, 12 or clips 13 at the time of installation is eliminated. Fastenholdingthe parts of the hanger bar securely in position as previously described. Such securing means is particularly advantageous when the hanger bar isused to support heavy horizontal components since the screws would prevent any slipping of the body 10 in the ends 11 and 12.

Further provision may be made for securely .holding the hanger bar in a desired position .and for increasing the range of ways in which .the bar may be mounted. To accomplish one aspect of the foregoing, means is provided for receiving a fastener, such as a nail or a screw, positioned such that the fastener can engage the wood joist or other building on which the bar is mounted (FIG. 7). For this purpose, a perforation or hole 50 is formed in the perpendicular end cap 251 of the end supporting members 11, 12 above and in line with the center line of the pointed vprojection 23. After the :bar has been mounted as previously described, additional strength is obtained by driving a nail or screw through-thehole 5i) and into'the joist 56. Since the undersides of the hanger bar jitlandiend members 1-1, -12 are recessed due to their channel cross-section, space is provided for a hammer or other driving toolzto engage the fastener. Anaddi- .tional perforation gorhole 351 is formed in .the projecting point 23 located approximately centrally of its length. Means is thus provided for receiving a .fastenert pointed inadirection perpendicularto the hanger bar increasing the number-of ways in which the bar can be .mounted. .Such means permits the attachment of the hanger. bar point projections to the bottom of a joist :by driving a fastener upwardly into the joist through the hole .51. These additional mounting means permit the use of the hanger bar in unusual and diflicult installations if the pointed projectionalone is ,not adaptable to the particular circumstances.

, Eor supporting extremely heavy components, an vva1- ternative body construction may .be employed toprovide added stiffness to the hanger bar. Sucha body member .40 is shown in FIG .12. The body 40 has dep nding edges 15. and .16 similar to the previouslydescribed body 10. However, astrengthened channeled cross section is formed bya pair-of flatridges ,41, 42 and a recessed back 43 connected .by:inner channel sides 44, 45. .Aplurality of holes 46 may also be punched or drilled in the recessed back 43, to .add to the versatility of the body 40. 'It'is preferable'that the alternative body 40 is the .same .width .as the body 10 .so that theclips 13, 31, 32, ,33 may be mounted interchangeably on either body member.. How- .ever, the size ofeither body member .may be altered so long as the mounting clips are adjusted .to confQ to the outer surface ofthebody;

Another alternative form of body construction 52 is formed ,witha semicircular cross sectionhaving the concave side opening downwardly. In this form the outer edge portions of the semicircular section comprise the flanges of the body while the central portion forms the backportion ,in the same manner. as the previously described forms. As with the other forms .of body construction, the end members 11, 12, and clips 13 may be body member.

ing devices, such as self-tappingscrews, can be ,used for I claim as my invention: a l. A bar hanger for supporting building components between .a pair of laterally spaced -.supports such as wooden joists or the like, comprising, in combination, .a

relatively 'longchannel-shaped body member having-depending longitudinal edges, a pairof channel-shaped end members havingdepending flangesshaped to lieover and conform to .the outersurface of-saidb dY, a -pluralityof ears struck from said flanges to leave an opening therein,

said ears being ,hingedly connectedat their lower edge and extendinginwardly fromsaid flanges to engage the inner surface of said longitudinal .edge, and said end members being slidably mounted on opp osite ends ;of said body and having axially protruding points forzpenetration into the laterally spaced supports. 7

.2. A bar hangertor supporting building components betweenapair of laterally spaced supportsrsuch as woodon joists or the like, comprising, in combination, a :relatively .long channel-shaped body member having depending longitudinal edges, a pair ofchannel-shaped-end mem- Lber's .having aback portion and clepending flanges;shaped to lie over and conform to the outer surface of said body, a plurality of ears struck inwardly from said flanges and connected at one edge to said flanges for engaging the inner surface of said longitudinal edge, said end members being slidably mounted on opposite ends of said body and having axially protruding oints for penetration into the laterally spaced supports, and said back portion of said end members defining a longitudinal slot for receiving a fastener for securing said end member in selected longitudinal position relative to said body member.

3. A bar hanger as defined in claim 2 in which said longitudinal slot is defined by a pair of parallel upstanding ridges struck from the back portion of said end members.

4. A bar hanger for supporting building components between a pair of laterally spaced supports such as wooden joists or the like, comprising, in combination, a relatively long channel-shaped body member having depending longitudinal edges, a pair of channel-shaped end members on opposite end portions of said body and having depending flanges shaped to lie over and conform to the outer surface of said body, a plurality of cars being hingedly connected at their lower edge to said flanges and extending inwardly therefrom to engage the inner surface of said longitudinal edges for slidably holding said end members on said body, each end member having a perpendicular cap portion enclosing the outer end thereof and having an axially protruding point on the lower edge of said cap portion for penetration into the laterally spaced supports.

5. A bar hanger for supporting building components between a pair of laterally spaced supports such as wooden joists or the like, comprising, in combination, a relatively long channel-shaped body member having downwardly and outwardly depending longitudinal flanges, a plurality of relatively short channel-shaped slidable members mounted on said body, said members having depending flanges shaped to overlie and conform to the outer surface of said body, said flanges on said slidable members extending downwardly and outwardly substantially farther than said longitudinal body flanges and a plurality of ears struck from said flanges on said slidable members and connected at their lower edge to said flanges and extending inwardly from said flanges to engage the inner surface of said body flanges, two of said members being slidably positioned on opposite ends of said body and having protruding pointed tips for penetrating into the laterally spaced supports to hold said bar hanger in selected position.

6. A bar hanger for supporting building components between a pair of laterally spaced supports such as wooden joists or the like, comprising, in combination, a relatively long channel-shaped body member having depending longitudinal sides, a pair of channel-shaped end members having depending flanges shaped to lie over and conform to the outer surface of said body, a plurality of ears on said flanges and extending inwardly from said flange to engage the inner surface of said longitudinal side of said body member, a clip member for holding a building component on said body, said clip member being slidably mounted on said body between said end members and having clamping means for selectively positioning said clip member along the length of said body, and said end members being slidably mounted on opposite ends of said body and having axially protruding points for penetration into the laterally spaced supports.

7. A bar hanger for supporting building components between a pair of laterally spaced supports such as wooden joists or the like, comprising, in combination, a relatively long body having a channel-shaped cross section and depending longitudinal sides, a plurality of slidable members mounted on said body, said members having a shape including depending flanges complementary in cross section to the outer surface of said body member, said flanges extending substantially beyond said longitudinal edges, a plurality of upwardly and inwardly extending ears struck from said flanges and being integrally hingedly connected thereto, said ears shaped to overlap said longitudinal sides of said body and engage the inner surface thereof, a pair of said slidable members being oppositely mounted on the ends of said body and having axially offset protruding pointed ends for penetrating and gripping said laterally spaced supports, and at least one of said plurality of members having means on its upper portion intermediate said flanges for securing building components to said hanger.

8. A bar hanger as claimed in claim 7 in which at least one of said plurality of slidable members has lug means on its upper portion curved upwardly therefrom for mounting circular building components on said bar hanger.

9. A bar hanger as claimed in claim 7 in which at least one of said plurality of slidable members has an upright lug struck from the upper portion thereof, said lug defining an aperture for receiving a fastener to hold a building component to said bar hanger.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,552,204 Bowers Sept. 1, 1925 1,982,957 Knell Dec. 4, 1934 2,788,188 Smith Apr. 9, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 129,051 Sweden Aug. 8, 1950 

1. A BAR HANGER FOR SUPPORTING BUILDING COMPONENTS BETWEEN A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED SUPPORTS SUCH AS WOODEN JOISTS OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RELATIVELY LONG CHANNEL-SHAPED BODY MEMBER HAVING DEPENDING LONGITUDINAL EDGES, A PAIR OF CHANNEL-SHAPED END MEMBERS HAVING DEPENDING FLANGES SHAPED TO LIE OVER AND CONFORM TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID BODY, A PLURALITY OF EARS STRUCK FROM SAID FLANGES TO LEAVE AN OPENING THEREIN, SAID EARS BEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED AT THEIR LOWER EDGE AND EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID FLANGES TO ENGAGE THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID LONGITUDINAL EDGE, AND SAID END MEMBERS BEING SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID BODY AND HAVING AXIALLY PROTRUDING POINTS FOR PENETRATION INTO THE LATERALLY SPACED SUPPORTS. 